Optional Activities & Excursions Offered on Your Trip.

Have it your way and personalize your trip by adding fun, optional activities. These activities are not included in your land package price to allow free time for those who want to explore on their own. Rates have been specially negotiated with the suppliers and will include transportation to and from the event, where applicable. All options are based on a minimum number of travelers participating. Rates listed are approximate rates in US$ and are subject to change. Contact your tour director upon arrival overseas to book and pay for your options. Payment to tour director in cash in local currency.

All

Optional French Cabaret in Paris

$165

Since 1889 the cabaret show at the Moulin Rouge is recognized world-wide because of its famous French can-can, immortalized by artist Toulouse-Lautrec.The above cost includes transfers by taxi, metro and/or motor coach, entrance to the “Féerie” show at 11:00pm, and one glass of champagne.

Optional excursion to Cannes & Monte Carlo

$159

Nothing sums up the glamour of Monte Carlo more than the harbor, filled with expensive yachts and celebrities. Sun seekers bask in the sun at Plages du Larvotto with plenty in the way of fun water sports. See the legendary Monte Carlo casino, designed by French architect Jules Touzet. Cannes displays luxury yachts along its waterfront and has streets lined with equally luxurious like Ferraris and Lamborghinis. During some free time, the town known for the International Film Festival (May) has you visiting the historical Le Suquet neighborhood. Shop for designer clothes at fashionable Rue d'Antibes or people watch at the seaside promenade "La Croisette."
The above cost includes round-trip motor coach to both Cannes and Monte Carlo including a lunch en route.

Frascati Wine Tasting

$70

At the Old Minardi Farmhouse the current vintner takes us on a walk through the vineyard and cellar, explaining how Frascati wine is traditionally made, and shows us the equipment and tools used in the winemaking process. A wine tasting of up to three types of wines paired with Minardi olive oil, pizza, specialty breads,and seasonal fruit and vegetable is also part of the tour.The cost includes round-trip transfer by private motor coach, 4 hour Frascati tour, wine and olive oil tasting with 3 wines and snacks.

Reward yourself for all your hard work with the ultimate escape. The Classic Europe tour offers 17 days of exploration, adventure, and insight into many of Europe’s most popular and breathtaking countries. The aptly named Classic Europe tour provides something for everyone, whether you’re inclined to engage with locals on a London pub crawl, seek adventure parasailing in the Greek isles, prefer photographing the majesty of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris or venturing through the Roman Forum and the 2000 year old Parthenon in Athens. The beauty of this journey is the balance of fun excursions, time at leisure and fascinating looks into history and ancient territories. This leaves our tour goers with a well-rounded experience and an opened mind, not to mention memories and new friends to last a lifetime. Make the Classic Europe tour your summer getaway, unleash your inner adventurer.

Embark on your overnight flight to London.

Meals: In-flight

Enjoy a free afternoon to relax and unwind. In the evening we’ll have our welcome orientation followed by a fun London pub crawl.

Inclusions:

Welcome orientation

Pub crawl

Meals: In-flight

Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus: These familiar names become familiar places on our morning tour of London. During an afternoon at leisure, browse the many food, craft and clothing stalls at popular Camden Market, walk in the footsteps of Harry Potter at Leadenhall Market aka Diagon Alley or take a ride on the London Eye for a birds-eye view of the city and the opportunity to take great photographs. After dusk, consider taking in some Shakespeare at the Globe Theater by the Thames River or attending a West End show.

Inclusions:

See Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey and more

Meals: Breakfast

Travel through the “Chunnel” below the English Channel, to Paris. Our local art historian shows us the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame Cathedral and Place de la Concorde, where the guillotine once stood. Tonight, dine on French specialties at our bistro dinner. Afterward, we take a romantic cruise down the river Seine.

Inclusions:

English Channel Eurostar Chunnel

See Arc de Triomphe, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame and more

Paris-by-night illuminations

French Bistro dinner

Seine River cruise

Meals: Breakfast, French bistro dinner

France has been a world center of the perfume industry since Louis XIV's court at Versailles was known as "le cour parfumée." Join us this morning for a visit to the Fragonard Perfume Museum, located in a 19th-century mansion from the era of Napoleon III, and learn about the art of perfume manufacturing from ancient times. We then travel to the Palace of Versailles, well known as France’s famed Sun King, Louis XIV’s, residence. Our museum pass gives us access to the Hall of Mirrors, the King’s Grand Chambers and more. Marvel at the sheer size of the palace, one of the most beautiful castles in the world with an astonishing 700 rooms. The afternoon is free to explore the ‘City of Lights’ and our tour director is happy to offer free-time suggestions. Consider an optional can-can cabaret show this evening.

Inclusions:

Palace of Versailles

Fragonard Perfumery & Museum

Meals: BreakfastOptional Activity: French cabaret show

Enjoy a free days in Paris. Your included 2-day museum pass allows access to over 70 museums and monuments in and around Paris including the world famous Louvre, housing the Mona Lisa, Musée d’Orsay and Musée National Picasso.

Inclusions:

2-day Paris Museum Pass

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, the TGV high-speed train takes us from Paris to Nice, Queen Resort of the Côte d’Azur. Enjoy your free afternoon on picturesque beaches along the rugged Mediterranean coastline, stroll promenades lined with chic boutiques, or unwind at a sidewalk café. The thriving local art scene and buzzing nightlife is yours to discover after tonight’s brasserie dinner.

Inclusions:

High-speed train to Nice

Local Brasserie Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, French Brasserie dinner

Enjoy a free day on the dazzling French Riviera. Relax on the beach, paddle in the azure sea, or sip on a smooth cocktail beneath swaying palms. Consider exploring Nice to visit the magnificent Palais Lascaris, the Cathédrale de Sainte Réparate and harbors filled with opulent yachts. Or, you may opt to join our excursion to Monaco, where Prince Rainier married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, and glitzy Cannes, known for its famous International Film Festival.

Inclusions:

French Riviera Beaches & Promenades

Meals: BreakfastOptional activity: Excursion to Monte Carlo & Cannes

Our journey takes us along the scenic Côte d’Azur’s sun-splashed beaches. We cross the border into Italy at Ventimiglia and continue along the coast to Genoa, where we switch to the high speed ‘Le Frecce’ train whisking us to Rome this afternoon. Check in to our hotel and enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure exploring Rome. Tonight, join us for our pasta party. Following dinner, perhaps walk to Piazza Navona, one of the city’s most beautiful baroque squares and try the local gelati.

Inclusions:

Scenic Cote D’Azur

Pasta Party

Piazza Navona Fountains

Meals: Breakfast, Pasta party

This morning, we explore Capitoline Hill with the most spectacular view of Caesar’s Roman Forum, center of political and social activity, with ancient ruins dating from the 8th century BC. Also see Nero’s Circus Maximus where chariot races were held. A trip across the Tiber River takes us to Vatican City - the world’s smallest state. Visit St. Peter’s Basilica housing Michelangelo’s magnificent “Pieta.” During afternoon free time you may want to use your Roma Pass to visit the Colosseum, where gladiators fought to the death.

Inclusions:

Special access sightseeing

See Caesar’s Forum, Circus Maximus, Pantheon and more

Roma Pass entrance to Colosseum and Forum

Visit St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and more

Meals: Breakfast

The entire day is free for exploring the Eternal City. Shop on Via Condotti, or visit more of the historical and artistic sights in the city. Have fun tonight at our tasty ‘Viva Italia’ pizza party in Trastevere, the perfect spot to get a glimpse of the old world while still enjoying the lifestyle of today’s Romans.

For some of us the celebratory tour of Europe ends in Rome this morning. Bid farewell to friends and “arrivederci” to Italy before jetting back home with memories to last a lifetime. For the rest of us: sunny olive groves line the way south to Pompeii. Under the shadow of Vesuvius, the volcano that buried this ancient city in 79 A.D., explore the excavated wonders including homes, markets and temples that remain intact, and streets that still bear the marks of chariot wheels from 2,000 years ago. Afterwards, we cross the Italian “boot” and board our overnight ship to Greece.

Inclusions:

Guided tour of the Pompeii excavations

Scenic overnight ship from Italy to Greece

Meals: Breakfast

Cruising through aquamarine waters, our ship docks at Patras. Motor along the Corinthian Sea across the Peloponnese to Galatas and the island of Poros. Relax and unwind with three days of living like a Greek god or goddess. Enjoy a welcome drink at the pool bar before exploring this idyllic island.

Inclusions:

Relaxing pool and beach time

Enjoy iconic Greek sunsets

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

Time to swim, bask in the golden sun, or take part in optional activities such as waterskiing, wakeboarding, parasailing, banana-boating or tubing. Dancing like Zorba at a local tavern is always a must-do evening activity.

Inclusions:

Explore the white-washed village center of Poros

Meals: Breakfast and dinnerOptional activity: Watersports

Bicycles will be provided for one of your free days. Poros old town center has great shopping or the more adventurous can venture to the 6th-century BC ruins of Poseidon’s Temple on the island’s highest peak. On our last night, we invite everyone to our fun Toga Party.

Inclusions:

Bike riding on the Isle of Poros

Greek Toga Party

Meals: Breakfast and dinner

In the morning we board our ferry to Athens. See the 2,400-year-old Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Constitution Square. A free afternoon may find us wandering the paths of Plato, Socrates and Sophocles or trying our bargaining skills at the markets of Monastiraki. This evening follow the sounds of traditional bouzouki music and join our farewell taverna dinner in the Plaka District – Athens’ oldest neighborhood at the foot of the Acropolis.

Inclusions:

Guided tour of Athens with a local historian

Visit The Acropolis, The Parthenon and more

Meals: Breakfast, Greek taverna dinner

Reluctantly we say farewell to Europe and new-found friends. Jet back home with thoughts of planning the next European Adventure!

The best way to see the Europe is by private deluxe motor coach. Door-to-door service with all the spectacular scenery in between. Our modern fleet of Mercedes, Volvos (or comparable) coaches for continental Europe are air- conditioned for your comfort. Enjoy deep-cushioned reclining lounge chairs, wide panoramic picture windows and a built-in stereophonic sound system. Our drivers are picked for their experience, skill, dependability and personality. Travelers to other exotic destinations enjoy modern mini vans or motor coaches for the transfers between each location while safari guests are transported in 4 x 4 land cruisers.

Many programs also include the fun of travel by ship from Italy to Greece or along the Rhine River, sleek trains or cable cars, private sailing yachts in the Greek Isles, bicycles in Holland, and jeeps in Dubai, just for the fun of it.

Special Destination Tours
The majority of transportation on other programs is also by private deluxe motor coach unless stated otherwise in the respective itinerary ( i.e.: mini vans in Costa Rica). Please see each tour page for exact details.

Luxury motor coach for European tours
Enjoy your journey with a professional driver at the wheel. Enjoy the scenery and view mountains and valleys, cities and villages through panoramic windows. Our luxury, air-conditioned motor coaches provide you with stylish and comfortable seats.

Eurostar train and high-speed intercity trains
Eurostar is the high-speed rail service directly linking the UK to France via the Channel Tunnel. It started operating in 1994, providing city center to city center services. Eurostar departs from London's St. Pancras Station. Fast journey times London-Paris in 2 hours 15 minutes. Journey from Paris to Nice on a TGV high-speed train in just over 5 hours. Enjoy air-conditioning and modern seats as you pass through the French countryside at up to 200 miles per hour. Other intercity trains in Europe travel at speeds of up to 125 mph featuring individual seating or in groups of four sharing a table.Travel by rail in Europe is efficient and fun.

Overnight cruise Italy – Greece
Greek ferries are used to travel from southern Italy to Greece. Departures are from Bari and Brindisi, Italy. Normal accommodations are 4-share on all vessels. Sea travel is fun and ships have amenities to make certain that you have a great time starting the moment you step on board including swimming pools, discos, bars and casinos.

Dubai land cruisers & coaches
Desert Safari includes off- road driving in the Dubai desert. The drivers are qualified to operate the 4x4 vehicles in the desert. These cars are air-conditioned and safety features include seat belts and roll bars. Six passengers can be carried per vehicle plus the driver. Off-road driving can be rather bumpy and is often compared to roller-coaster rides. Advise your tour director accordingly if you do not wish to participate in the dune bashing. Ground transportation for the city tour and city transfers are by luxury air-conditioned motor coach. Dinner cruise by Arabian ‘dhow.'

Central America & other exotic destinations - mini vans
Traveling by bus is one of the best ways to get around in these locations. Depending on group size, you will travel by mini-van or motor coach. Both are comfortable and safe means of transportation with local expert drivers. All vehicles are air-conditioned.

What to do during your free time? For more details or current local events talk to your tour director or your local city guide. They are always the best source for free-time activities and offer great tips on restaurants or local hang-outs.

All

Meals

Traveling on this trip will introduce you to some native cuisine, including local specialties.

Hotels

We stay in superior tourist class hotels, all with private bath/shower in 2-share rooms. Our hotels have been specially selected for their European atmosphere, friendly hospitality, and cleanliness. Our hotels are centrally located or within a short walk of public transportation to take you to the landmark of your choice in the city you are visiting. (Why stay in remote cabins, hostels, or share your room with up to 6 people, when you can stay in a centrally located hotel?)

You'll be given a complete hotel address list with your final documents. Properties are subject to change and any substitutions would be the equivalent of those listed. *Single supplement only applies if single accommodations are requested. Independent hotel reservations, special tours and FIT tours always apply a single supplement. Please check your itinerary.

If you purchase your own airfare, book your overnight flight from the USA one day earlier than the tour start date listed above.

* Price per person based on a twin share room. If you're traveling alone, AESU will arrange for you to share a twin at NO EXTRA COST. If you prefer a single room, a single supplement of $795/$325 will apply. Single accommodations are not available on the overnight ship from Italy to Greece.

AIRFARE

Gateway Cities

Fly into London, return from Rome for 12-day program or return from Athens for 17-day program.

Airfare is not included in land price. If you choose to book air with AESU, after receipt of your land booking, AESU will email you a quote with your tour confirmation invoice. You will have 72 hours to accept or decline airfare. (Or call AESU at 800-638-7640 for a quote prior to booking).

Book Airfare with AESU - FREE Airport Transfers

Purchase your airfare from AESU and receive free arrival/departure transfers between the airport to your hotels. We also try to book you on the same flights as others traveling on your tour. Land only participants BOOKING OWN FLIGHT OVERSEAS, DO NOT receive airport arrival/departure transfers. If you book land only with us, book your flights from the USA one day earlier than the tour start date. If you are not booking flights through AESU, we recommend not booking airfare until your tour is guaranteed (This will be noted on website with “guaranteed” next to tour start date).

Click on a date above to get a quote or book online. You can make your $500 deposit ONLINE to confirm your space on the land tour. Full payment isn't due until 90 days before departure, and you or friends and family can make partial payments after you've booked (See NOTE below if within 90 days). Or you can scan/email or fax a booking form.

If you just want a quote and don’t want to secure a spot on the land program, select date above and click "Get a Quote" button on next page.

NOTE: Reservations to be paid in full 90 days prior to departure. Reservations received after this date are subject to availability and any airfare quote can only be held for 72 hours. Payment in full, for late reservations, will be due upon receipt of invoice from AESU. A late booking fee of $100 per person will apply.

All prices reflect a cash discount (For full payment by credit card, there is a 4% processing fee.)

PAYMENT PLAN: pay a little at a time and make your trip more affordable.

After paying a deposit of $500 online to reserve your spot, you can pay your balance in as many installments as you like, with a minimum of $100 for each transaction with no fee. Please indicate booking number on your check payment. If you prefer to pay installments by credit card, please call us at 800-638-7640 for details. (All prices reflect a cash discount. There is a 4% processing fee for any payments made by credit card after initial deposit.) The total tour cost (land, and air if applicable) must be paid in full at least 90 days before departure.

INSURANCE: An application for trip cancellation, baggage, and medical insurance will be sent to you by the ECU Alumni Association once you are registered for the tour. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. Contact Megan Howard 252-328-5557 or howardme14@ecu.edu for further information. ECU insurance web site: http://ecu.meyerandassoc.com.

Is This Trip Right for You?

Please Wait

You have chosen to amend the arrival and/or departure date of the selected tour program. As a result, you will need to arrange additional accommodations and/or transfers service which may be done via Gate 1 Travel, where available, or independently.